Duterte said he has asked Teodoro Locsin Jr., the country’s permanent representative to the United Nations, to become the next Foreign Affairs Secretary. Locsin, a lawyer and a former lawmaker, has reportedly accepted the President’s Cabinet offer.

Duterte has also assigned Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo as his spokesperson. He still wanted to talk to Roque to get his final decision on whether to stay in government or pursue his Senate bid.

Duterte admitted that he was still looking for replacements for other Cabinet members planning to run in next year’s election

“Naghahanap ako. But you know my choices. It has nothing to do with politics. It has nothing to do na I want to ingratiate myself to the military. I don’t need that. I was elected by the people, not by the military,” he said.